Neil Lennon waiting in wings for Ireland job as FA sure of keeping Lee Carsley

FA officials in England remain adamant Lee Carsley is going nowhere with Neil Lennon’s name coming into fresh focus as a potential Plan B solution for the FAI in their search for a new manager.

The England U-21 boss was identified as the FAI’s primary target to replace Stephen Kenny and Carsley has been free to conduct talks about the role without the need for permission from his employers.

However, he has kept his cards close to his chest about his actual level of interest in taking the Ireland job at this moment in time, even though the idea of managing the country he represented 40 times has always appealed to him.

The FA would need to be approached by the FAI at an advanced stage but that scenario has not come to pass and one UK media report has ruled Carsley out of the Irish picture completely on the basis he could be an option to replace Gareth Southgate after the European Championships.

His enjoyment of his current role is such that he has turned down higher-paid opportunities in the club sphere.

While the FAI will naturally have to present any new manager as their first choice, other candidates who have expressed interest have always been working off the impression that the job is Carsley’s to turn down despite the fact that Abbotstown officials have held discussions with several options.

It’s understood the FAI initially indicated to prospective bosses that they would have clarity on the picture early in January and the feeling amongst the alternatives is that Carsley re-entering the picture – he was cold on the idea before Christmas – has shaped the time-frame.

Lennon has stressed his interest in the job in several media interviews, and has been in contact with the FAI from the start of a process headed up by director of football Marc Canham.

He has been out of the game since departing Omonia Nicosia in October 2022 with the Cypriot side opting to make a change just seven months into his two-and-a-half-year deal.

However, Lennon did win the Cypriot cup during his short stay and was involved in a European campaign where his side impressed against Manchester United.

His previous experience as manager of Celtic, in particular their performances in continental competition, have been flagged as a positive for his prospects.

“I think it’s a fabulous job to start with it,” said Lennon in November. “I’ve achieved a lot in my career in terms of my ambition and in terms of playing with Celtic. Managing Ireland would be another ambition of mine. I’d love to have a crack at it.”

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